We contine to eat in the midst of Luke's ordeal - even apple pie!

"                                                       Sunday, Sept 9, 1979
Dear Luke,
Your Mom, Aunt Mary Beth, Brian, Diane and I went to 12:15 Mass today.  Uncle Bob went to early Mass and then helped a friend from work black-top his driveway.  Your Dad stayed home.  He's Lutheran and doesn't attend his church regularly.  You'll have to work on him when you get a little older.  There's a saying, "A Little Child shall lead them".

After church I went to visit you at the hospital with your Dad and Mother.  Right before we left i got a call from Grandpa.  He and Aunt Anna are on their way up here.  You looked very pathetic today.  We all feel very sorry to see you with the tube in your nose (the respirator tube) and your little arm strapped down for administrating the IV. That's to feed you and give you your antibiotic.  I stroked your little arm today and you seemed to like it.

When we got home from the hospital, Aunt Mary Beth was out shopping. Your Dad and Mother went for gas for Dad's truck.  A short time later (around five) Grandpa and Aunt Anna arrived from Brooklyn.  We had delicious pot roast dinner, including an apple pie.  After dinner your Dad and Mother went to the hospital again.  You were very active and showed in no uncertain terms your dislike for the IV and respirator.  You were on your stomach and your mother rubbed  your back.  She thinks she woke you or else you were mad just being touched. She felt very sad to see your distress. She was shook up over the latest doctor's report - you have pneumonia.  We're hoping the antibiotics will cure that for you. 

I must get up early tomorrow to take cousins Brian and Diane to play group at Tina's.  Your Mother, Aunt Mary Beth and your Dad plan to see Dr. Bartoletti tomorrow to talk about you.
                                                                       Love,
                                                                       Grandma"

In the midst of your ordeal, we continue to eat well!  I believe that this sharing of food together was more than physical nourishment for us.  It was a true communion and a way to keep a small sense of normalcy in our lives.    
And I always said that Grandma was stronger in her beliefs than any priest I ever met.   Here she was wanting your Dad to get to church.   She even has to tell you- a 2 pound baby - that your father is a Lutheran. God Bless her, she certainly was a sweet, caring Grandma.  Words are sure powerful, reading her words bring her right back to me.